Melbourne car attack accused remanded

The driver accused of mowing down pedestrians in the Melbourne CBD has been remanded in custody after a brief court appearance during which he covered his face with his hand.

Afghan refugee Saeed Noori, 32, of Heidelberg West appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday in a grey T-shirt charged with 18 counts of attempted murder and one count of conduct endangering life.

The charges by the Homicide Squad follow an incident in which a white 4WD ploughed through pedestrians at the intersection of Flinders and Elizabeth streets on Thursday afternoon.

Noori held his head in his hands as he sat in the dock, while his emotional mother, who was his only supporter in court, tried to approach him but was told to stay seated.

She also tried to move to the front row of seats to be closer to her son, but was told she could not sit there.